President Haldeman re-elected to a second term with a smaller,
but still comfortable margin. New Republicans continue to dominate
Congress, while the Reform party loses support as its members
are harassed by government agencies.

Hydrogen fuel-cells now power most vehicles and homes, with
European and American governments enforcing implementation on
reluctant consumers. The importance of oil diminishes, forcing
many Arab countries into poverty once again.

Millions of Asian and American refugees emigrate to the ocean
colonies, transforming them into cities and farms.

The global network expands beyond the control of its creators,
leading some to speculate that its exponential growth will
eventually transform it into a sentient entity.

Amazonian Medical Collegium quarantines Peru after an outbreak of
the 'cruzo' variant filo virus. Genentech corporation is expelled
for failing to use extreme (lethal) measures to stop the biosafety
breach.